My leo braun wheel

[xcoronaangel]

I purchased my wheel from eBay about 3 months ago when my chins where much smaller and not so fat (lol).
My roommate mentioned to me a few days ago about how Loud the wheel is. I can personally sleep through a hurricane so I don’t wake up. But tonight since I am wide awake I noticed how loud it has become.

I peeked at the wheel and noticed... it's held together by screws... interesting. I thought the wheel was: "While the wheel feels heavy due to its sturdy construction, its high quality ball bearings allow it to turn almost effortlessly." Mine has NO ball bearings that I can see.

I dont think I'll be able to fix the damage that they did by screwing the wheel to the base... (any thoughts?) And where would I locate the bearings for a model they no longer make.

:cry3:

Not happy right this momment.


Here are some photos... and like always Gretzky is always ready to show off for the camera:

(I am hoping I am incorrect and this is what it should look like)

 

[xcoronaangel]

(I keep trying to find photos of the wheel and if mine is held together correctly but I cant find any)

 

[Essentia]

I have no idea how you would go about changing the bearing, but looking at pictures of other Leo's, yours looks exactly the way it's supposed to.

http://www.chinworld.com/sitemap/prods/CW030006.html

 

[xcoronaangel]

I looked at that photo and about 3 others online and none of them show the inside upclose like the photo I took.
My roommate thought that on other wheels they place the ball bearings where my screws are placed.

BUT if this is what it should look like then great. Then I am wondering why one of the best ever chin wheels designs is so loud. I used zip ties (where the chins cant reach) to secure it better to the cage. But its SUPER loud!
Maybe my next hunt will be for new bearings... that should be fun :hmm:

I have no idea how you would go about changing the bearing, but looking at pictures of other Leo's, yours looks exactly the way it's supposed to.

http://www.chinworld.com/sitemap/prods/CW030006.html

 

[Rickman]

I'd say send it to me, and I'll get the correct bearing that'll get it back to noiseless, but shipping back and forth wouldn't be cheap!
You have what's called a "captured" bearing, as it's in a cover that holds it in place to the wheel, and lets the shaft turn separatly!
Take it out of the cage, and with a picture from the back, I might be able to tell you how to fix it, and where to get a bearing!

 

[xcoronaangel]

I will have to ask my rommate when she gets back in town how much it would be to ship to and from through her company.
I will def take a photo tomorrow and post it.
Thxs

I'd say send it to me, and I'll get the correct bearing that'll get it back to noiseless, but shipping back and forth wouldn't be cheap!
You have what's called a "captured" bearing, as it's in a cover that holds it in place to the wheel, and lets the shaft turn separatly!
Take it out of the cage, and with a picture from the back, I might be able to tell you how to fix it, and where to get a bearing!

 

[RDZCRanch]

it looks right to me...but a leo braun shouldn't be secured by zip ties. That is probably where your problem is and like Rick said...you need to get the correct hardware!

 

[Riven]

Replacing bearings is easy.

Take the wheel off and remove the screws on the front. On the back it should have a solid structure attached to a piece with three "legs" which should attach to the cage with bolts and washers.

Remove the wheel part and the bearings will be exposed, you can take them out and take them into the hardware place and ask them to help you find a replacement bearing.

 

[Riven]

This page has a photo that shows a bit of the back of the wheel.

http://www.erodent.co.uk/Wheels.htm

I was quite surprised I could not find an online how to for changing any wheel bearings. Leo's usually don't need replaced unless they'd be run really hard.

 

[Rickman]

The problems I've seen with bearings is that most wheel companies don't really know what's out there! When a bearing goes bad, it's because there's no lubrication, and with chins, dust gets in there and wears them out. Roller bearings, which most use, have only 10% of the surface in contact, and are exposed, hence no way to retain lubrication, and dust gets in, and destroys them!
I worked with Quality Cage to find a sealed, pre-lubed, needle bearing, [40% surface contact] which would be silent and last indefinately, which I believe they are now using.
Since I'm not familiar with the Leo Braun wheel, I'd have to see it to figure out what bearing would work the best.

 

[Riven]

Leo's are sealed pretty well. Leo's were not made by a factory hoping to pump out lots of product, they were made my a man who cared.

 

[Rickman]

Riven - I'm not putting it down - never even saw one - just explaining what I've seen out there, and a cheap way to improve it, if need be!